I'm planning on coming down for Saturday only since I'm leaving for Spain on Sunday. This is my first one of these events when do things typically get started on Saturday? Does everyone bring a lunch, or does everyone tear down and pack up to go to lunch? Where specifically at the Indiana dunes does everyone meet? I've never been to 'da dunes, but I think it's a pretty big place... :)

If I recall correctly, we brought or own lunch on Saturday. There's a small snack bar there, but I don't know if it's open after labor day. I will probably get there about ten am. Don't know about others.

10 sounds reasonable. People who live closer may be there at 9, others may not show up until noon.The location is on the Maps link that's at the top of every page of the forum. If map isn't clear, post back here, and we'll help you find it.

Mike wrote:The location is on the Maps link that's at the top of every page of the forum. If map isn't clear, post back here, and we'll help you find it.

For those who haven't been to the retreat, It's super easy to find. If "Indiana Dunes State Park" is not in your GPS database, try the following address:

1600 N CR-25 E Chesterton, IN 46304

Or just get yourself to the intersection of Indiana 49 and U.S. 12. At that point, Indiana 49 ends and becomes County Road 25 E from that intersection north. Continue north on CR 25 E into the park. Be prepared to pay a small admission fee at the gate ($5/car/day for Indiana residents, $10/car/day for non-residents). Shortly after the gate is a roundabout. Go half way around it (coming out on the opposite side from which you enter) and you'll be on the road to the beach.

Below is a close-up map of the park to help you find your way from the gatehouse to the retreat.

(Edited to correct out-of-state entrance fee.)

Last edited by KiteVoice on Tue, Sep 03 2013, 10:38 AM, edited 3 times in total.

Thanks for the update - just a quick correction to the admission fee: It's $10/day for non-Indiana residents.

Last year, most of the flying was to the right of the parking lot as you face the beach. In other words, if you get there first, then head over the bridge and off to the right (northeast) to set up. It's a bit further to the bathrooms, but there are fewer people to the right of the creek, so more room for flying.

Last edited by goestoeleven on Tue, Sep 03 2013, 10:18 AM, edited 1 time in total.

goestoeleven wrote:If I recall correctly, we brought or own lunch on Saturday. There's a small snack bar there, but I don't know if it's open after labor day. I will probably get there about ten am. Don't know about others.

Last year, I took a cooler with a few beverages and on the way to the park, bought a sandwich at Jimmy John's to put in the cooler.

Mike wrote:We also need to know who's coming so we can reserve a block of rooms. If you're at least 80% sure you're coming, chime in, the rooms will be cancelable.

Consider me 80%. Any idea on a room rate yet?

My probability of participation is now down to 20%.

We have so many things going on during other September weekends that I might need the retreat weekend to finish a small exterior house-painting project (our siding is mostly aluminum with wood on the front face that must be painted before this winter).

If I'm able to get enough painting done weeknight evenings between now and the retreat, I'll try to show up for at least one day, probably Saturday.

I really hope I can make it, because I've been building some skill on my Rev. -- maybe enough enough to try a little group flying.

KiteVoice wrote:I really hope I can make it, because I've been building some skill on my Rev. -- maybe enough enough to try a little group flying.

We hope you can make it too! If you can fly a figure 8, then you are ready for some group flying. Even better if you can hover a bit and control your forward speed. Even if you don't feel ready, I'm sure we can get you in some small group flying with even a little bit of practice on the day of the retreat.

goestoeleven wrote:Last year, most of the flying was to the right of the parking lot as you face the beach. In other words, if you get there first, then head over the bridge and off to the right (northeast) to set up. It's a bit further to the bathrooms, but there are fewer people to the right of the creek, so more room for flying.

Good point. The actual flying site was really easy for me to find last year, because by the time I arrived at the parking lot, Mike already had a parafoil single-line kite bearing the IKE logo in the air.

Given how dry it's been for the past few weeks, the creek will probably be small enough to step over (as it was last year), so it might not be necessary to use the bridge!

Mike wrote:10 sounds reasonable. People who live closer may be there at 9, others may not show up until noon.The location is on the Maps link that's at the top of every page of the forum. If map isn't clear, post back here, and we'll help you find it.

Ha! I never noticed that "Maps" link up there ... well, that's handy! :)

I am going with all the joy and excitement of a four year old on Christmas morning, but definitely not looking forward to any STD's. Is there something I am missing about the retreat I should know about? LOL. Hoping you meant to type my new SLE?